On the occasion of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” in Hyderabad, a tragic incident unfolded as two laborers lost their lives while performing the hazardous task of cleaning a manhole. This unfortunate incident occurred in the sultan bazar area of the city, where these cleaning workers succumbed to suffocation within the confined space of the manhole. The local authorities were alerted and swiftly retrieved the lifeless bodies from the perilous site, promptly transporting them to the government-operated Osmania Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The deceased individuals, identified as Veeraswamy and Kotaiah, were both in their forties and had been assigned the responsibility of cleaning the manhole on this particular day. As it was a holiday for the regular sanitation workers employed by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, these laborers were assigned critical tasks. However, their lives were tragically cut short, leaving their families in a state of shock and mourning.
In the aftermath of this devastating incident, the families of the deceased workers have leveled serious allegations against the authorities. They contend that the officials failed to act swiftly and decisively to rescue the trapped laborers, ultimately resulting in their untimely demise. The families express their profound disappointment, asserting that a lack of proper safety precautions and negligence on the part of the authorities have led to such grave accidents.
Regrettably, this incident is not an isolated occurrence. Similar tragedies have unfolded in the past, highlighting a disturbing pattern of disregard for worker safety during such operations.
The laborers emphasize that their pleas for enhanced security measures and strict adherence to safety protocols have fallen on deaf ears, exacerbating the risks associated with their profession. The families are now left grappling with profound grief and anger, demanding justice for their loved ones and urging immediate action to rectify the systemic lapses that have endangered the lives of workers.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust safety regulations and comprehensive training programs to ensure the well-being of workers engaged in hazardous occupations. It underscores the critical importance of proactive measures by the authorities to prioritize the protection and welfare of these laborers, who play an essential role in maintaining the city’s infrastructure. The families of the deceased workers united in their sorrow, fervently hope that their tragic loss will serve as a catalyst for meaningful reforms that prevent future calamities and safeguard the lives of those toiling in perilous conditions.
